Bacon folder



BACON FOLDER Filed Aug. 26, .1.955

IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent BACON FOLDER William A. Ringler, Wayne, Pa., assignor to The Gardner Board and Carton Co., Middletown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 26, 1953, Serial No. 376,539

6 Claims. (Cl. 229-87) My invention relates to a paperboard folder and more particularly to a folder suitable for packaging sliced bacon or similar merchandise.

ln the packaging of sliced bacon, for example, it 1s customary to provide a paperboard stiffener in the form of a rectangular blank on which the strips of bacon are laid in overlapping relation, whereupon the assembly is wrapped with cellophane or similar thin transparent material to provide a package through which the merchandise is clearly visible. In the past the stiffener or folder has also been provided with one or more end or slide flaps adapted to be infolded to overlie the merchandise so as to provide at least a partial frame overlying the bacon or similar merchandise. Such aps not only improve the appearance of the package and add to its protective capacity, but they additionally serve as a convenient medium for brand identification and advertising.

When a package of the characted described is first opened the cellophane wrapper is invariably torn or otherwise mutilated to the extent that once a portion of the contents has been removed, the folder cannot be satisfactorily rewrapped in the original wrapper for storage in the refrigerator,

It has hitherto been suggested that this difficulty could be overcome by providing one or more score lines in the main panel making up the folder so that it may be folded upon itself to form a protective packet in which the remainder of the contents is completely covered. I have found, however, that the folders hitherto proposed have not been capable of being folded into a neat and easy to fold packet.

It is, therefore, a principal object of my invention to provide a folder for bacon or similar material which may he easily and conveniently folded to form a neat storage packet subsequent to the initial removal of the wrapper and a portion of the contents.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a folder of the character described comprising essentially a main or bottom panel provided with end fiaps and at least one side flap adapted to be infolded over the bottom panel and the contents placed thereon, so as to provide a neat and attractive folder which may be readily handled and wrapped with a transparent wrapper.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a folder of the character described in which the bottom panel is scored centrally thereof to define a narrow side wall panel when the bottom panel is folded upon itself to form a packet.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a bacon folder construction in which the central portions of the end iiaps overlying the contents of the folder, are adapted to be reversely folded relative to the corresponding portions of the bottom panel upon the folding of the bottom panel to form a packet, thereby removing the central portions of the flaps from the area of fold and hence preventing binding and distortion of the parts during folding to form the packet, I have found that unless the central portions of the end flaps are removed 2,753,107: Patented July 3, 1956 "ice from the area of fold, the thickness of the material contained in the folder will prevent the end flaps from following their normal course of fold-which would be coincident with the corresponding parts of the bottom panel--and hence it becomes difiicult to fold the packet and the resulting fold is both irregular and distorted and exhibits an exaggerated tendency to return to the unfolded condition.

These and other objects of my invention which will be specifically referred to hereinafter or which will be apparent to the skilled worker in the art upon reading these specifications, I accomplish by that construction and arrangement of parts of which I shall now describe an exemplary embodiment.

Reference is now made to the drawings,l wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a blank for my folder.

Figure 2 is a plan View similar to Figure l showing the ap parts in infolded condition.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-1 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a plan View similar to that of Figure 2 but showing the flap parts infolded about the contents of the folder.

Figure 6 is a plan view `similar to Figure 5 illustrating the folder in wrapped condition.

Figure 7 is a sectional View taken along the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the folder of Figure 5 in longitudinally folded condition forming a storage packet.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9--9 of Figure 8.

Figure l() is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the scoring of the bottom panel and end aps.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, the blank for my folder is formed from a generally rectangular piece of paperboard or cardboard cut and scored to provide a main or bottom panel 1 divided substantially centrally by the spaced apart score lines 2 and 3 defining a narrow side wall portion 4 extending centrally through the bottom panel.

The bottom panel 1 terminates at its ends in end flaps 5 and 6 articulated to the bottom panel by means of spaced apart score lines '7, 8 and 9, 10 defining narrow end wall portions 11 and 12, respectively. The score lines 2 and 3, it will be noted, also extend through the end wallportions. A side flap 13 is articulated to a longitudinal edge of the bottom panel 1 along the score line 14; and the side liap is preferably provided with additional score lines 1S and 15a defining narrow side wall portions 16 and 16a.

Each of the end iiaps S and 6 is provided centrally thereof with the score lines 17, 18 and 19, extending in parallel relation to the score lines 2 and El in the bottom panel. The arrangement is such that the score lines 1d lie centrally between the score lines 2 and 3, with the score lines 17 and 19 spaced outwardly an equal distance and lying to the outside of the score iines 2 and 3.

The score lines 17, 18 and 19 terminate inwardly at the score lines '7 and 10, respectively; and the portions of the end flaps lying between the score lines 1'7 and 19 are separated from the narrow end wall portions 11 and 12, respectively, by means of the slits 20 coinciding with the score lines 7 and 10, respectively. I have also found it desirable to provide diagonally disposed. score lines 21 and 22 in the narrow end wall portions extending from the points of intersection of the score lines 2 and 3 with the score lines 8 and 9 to adjacent the ends of the score line 18, thereby defining small triangular webs in the end wall portions.

The end walls S and 6 are preferably provided with diagonal slits or slots 23 positioned to receive the ends of the side flap 13 when the flaps are infolded to form the folder. Alternatively, the side ap 13 may be provided near its end with appropriately positioned slits or slots to receive the adjacent end edges of the end flap. Other forms of interengaging means may be provided if desired without departing from the spirit of my invention.

The blank just described will be preferably formed from suitably grease-proofed board which has been suitably coated on at least its upper or inner surface with a suitable proofing material, or impregnated with such material, in ways which will be clearly understood by the skilled worker in the art. The outer surface of the board will be preferably such that it will receive printing inks.

The erected or assembled condition of the folder is illustrated in Figure 2 wherein the end flaps 5 and 6 are infolded over the bottom panel and the side flap 13 thereafter infolded along the score lines 14 and 15 with its end edges engaged in the slots 23 to maintain the parts in the folded condition. As clearly seen in Figures 3 and 4, the infolding of the parts is such that the narrow end wall portions 11 and 12, and the side wall portion 16 extend in substantially perpendicular relation both to the bottom panel and to the end and side ilaps. It will be understood that the strips of bacon 24 (Fig. 5) will be placed on the bottom panel 1 in edge overlapping relation prior to the infolding of the flaps; and subsequent to the infolding of the aps over the bacon slices, the assembly will be tightly wrapped in a transparent wrapper 25 formed from a sheet of cellophane or similar material. The completed package is seen in Figures 6 and 7; and this is the condition in which the merchandise will be sold to the ultimate consumer. The package so formed is both neat and attractive, and atfords the purchaser a clear view of the contents and at the same time provides ample areas in the flap portions for brand identification and advertising by the packer or distributor.

The consumer, following initial removal of the wrapper and a portion of the contents, may thereafter utilize the folder to form a convenient storage packet by folding it along the score lines 2 and 3 in the main panel thereof to form the packet illustrated in Figure 8. When forming the packet, it will be noted that the end flaps and 6 remain infolded, but the side ap 13 is disengaged from the end iiap and folded along the score line 15a to form a side wall 16, 16a of a width substantially equal to the side wall 4, with the ap 13 folded over the bottom panel to form the envelope-like packet illustrated.

As will be seen in Figure 9, the arrangement ot' the central portion of the end aps is such that upon folding of the bottom panel to form the packet, the portions lying between the score lines 17 and 19 are reversely folded, in the manner illustrated, to remove those portions from the area of fold. lt will be evident from the ligure, that unless the central portions of the end aps are removed from the area of fold, they would bind against the rear wall 4 and hence would not provide adequate clearance in the area of fold to accommodate the bacon strips 0verlying the rear wall 4 of the folder. It will be clearly evident from Figure 9 that my construction provides an unobstructed free space, indicated at S, for the bacon strips. My construction thus provides a neat and efficient packet which may be readily folded without distorting or bending the parts. The diagonal score lines 21 and 22 permit the portions of the narrow end walls to lex inwardly bellows-wise in the areas of fold. It will be evident that my construction provides a convenient storage package which may be opened and closed as desired until the entire contents have been used.

Modifications may, of course, be made in my invention without departing from the spirit of it.

Having described my invention in an exemplary embodiment, what I desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A bacon folder formed from a generally rectangular la pair of spaced apart score lines extending longitudinally of said bottom panel centrally thereof, said score lines terminating outwardly at the lines of articulation between said end iiaps and said narrow end wall portions, score lines in said end flaps extending in parallel relation to the score lines in said bottom panel, there being three such score lines in each ot said end flaps, all terminating inwardly at the lines of articulation between said end flaps and said narrow end wall portions, the tirst of the score lines in each of said end tlaps lying centrally between the score lines in said bottom panel, with the remaining score lines in each end tiap spaced outwardly from said first named score line, one on each side thereof, said last named score lines being equally spaced from said first named score line and lying outwardly beyond the score lines in said bottom panel, the inner ends of the outermost score lines in each of said end Vflaps being joined by lines of cut coinciding with the lines of articulation between said end aps and said narrow end wall portions, whereby to effectively separate the portions of said end ilaps lying between said outermost score lines from said narrow end wall portions.

2. The structure claimed in claim l including diagonal score lines in said narrow end wall portions extending between the ends of the score lines in said bottom panel and the intermediate score line in each of said end flaps.

3. The structure claimed in claim l wherein said side and end flaps extend the full length and width, respectively, of said bottom panel and are provided with interconnecting means for maintaining the said side and end flaps in the infolded condition overlying said bottom panel.

4. The structure claimed in claim l wherein said side flap is interconnected to said bottom panel by means of a relatively narrow side wall portion.

5. A bacon folder formed from a paperboard blank cut and scored to provide a rectangular bottom panel, end 'flaps articulated to opposite ends of said bottom panel, a pair of spaced apart score lines extending longitudinally of said bottom panel centrally thereof to define a narrow panel therebetween, three score lines in each of said end llaps extending in parallel relation to the score lines in said bottom panel, the first of said three score lines lying centrally between the score lines in said bottom panel with the remaining two score lines equally spaced from said first named score line by a distance such that the score lines in said bottom panel lie between the first of said score lilies and the remaining two score lines, the score lines in said end panels terminating inwardly at the lines of articulation between said end l'laps and said bottom panel, lines of cut coinciding with said last named lines of articulation and extending between the inner ends of the outermost score lines in each end flap, whereby to effectively disconnect the portions ot the end ilaps ylying between the outermost score lines therein from said bottom panel.

6. A bacon folder formed from a paperboard blank cut and scored to provide a rectangular bottom panel, end aps articulated to opposite ends of said bottom panel, a side ilap articulated to a side of said bottom panel, a pair of spaced apart score lines extending lcngir tudinally of said bottom panel centrally the o define a narrow panel therebetween, three score li s in each of said end flaps extending in parallel. relation to the score lines in said bottom panel, the first of said three score linesy lying centrally between the score lines in said bottom panel with the remaining two score lines equally spaced from said rst named score line by a distance such that the score lines in said botto-m panel lie between the rst of said three score lines and the remaining two score lines, the score lines in said end panels terminating inwardly at the lines of articulation between said end flaps and said bottom panel, lines of cut coinciding with said last named lines of articulation and extending between the inner ends of the outermost score lines in each end Hap, whereby to eiectively disconnect the portions of the end aps lying between the outermost score lines therein from said bottom panel, and diagonally disposed lines of cut in said end aps for receiving the ends of said side flap.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

